Patrick Hernandez – Born To Be Alive (1980) | Madonna is the lead back-up dancer
Thanks to Candy Perfume Boy for the clip!
Madonna Information & Fan Community
Madonna Information & Fan Community
Patrick Hernandez – Born To Be Alive (1980) | Madonna is the lead back-up dancer
Thanks to Candy Perfume Boy for the clip!
Antigay Russian activists have obtained Madonna’s home address in New York City and sent her a summons to show up at a Russian court. Nine plaintiffs are desperate to make “Madge” pay after suffering “moral damages” at her gig in St. Petersburg.
Another summons was issued to the address of Madonna’s gym Hard Candy in central Moscow. However, gym staff insist they have not received any letter from St. Petersburg, and thus can’t inform their Big Boss.
The pro-Kremlin group Trade Union of Russian Citizens wants the Material Girl in court for blasphemy and for damaging the cultural foundations of St. Petersburg. Nine activists filed a suit against the pop star after her concert on August 9. They are seeking 333 million rubles (around US$10 million) from Madonna and from the company that organized her show.
All the fuss is because of Madonna’s actions on the stage. The pop diva started her show asking fans to raise their hands with pink bracelets, which they were given on the entrance, in support of homosexual rights.
It is, however, illegal to promote homosexuality in St. Petersburg. The local law, which bans so-called “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and pedophilia to minors,” was passed in March this year.
Activists claim the pop star broke this law. Moreover, they say children as young as 12 were at the concert, prompting the question, why were they there?
The complaint also includes a video taken of the concert that depicts Madonna allegedly stomping on an Orthodox cross.
“She insulted believers’ feelings, she promoted homosexuality when there were children at the concert and this is forbidden in St Petersburg. We, the residents of the cultural capital, suffered a colossal moral damage,” union spokesperson Darya Dedova was quoted as saying.
However, Madonna has not still responded to any of the complaints, nor did she appear in court.
The first hearing into the $10 million lawsuit took place on October 11, but it was postponed until October 25. Plaintiffs did not know Madonna’s address in the US and thus were unable to notify the pop star.
At the same time, there are some details which may weaken the activist’ position in court.
First, all tickets contained a recommendation saying that only over-18s should attend the concert. In such a case, parents of minors are responsible for allowing them to be there and seeing what they saw.
Second, there is video evidence which, however, was shot without any official permission, itself a violation.
According to a recently-adopted St Petersburg law, if the defendant is found guilty she will have to pay an additional 50 per cent of the ordered compensation as a fine that will go to the city budget, Dedova said. The union promised to use the money to protect city residents from homosexuality and pedophilia.
This law, which is only in force in St. Petersburg, caused a string of protests from Russian and international gay rights organizations, with one Russian activist even suing its author over damage to his reputation.
http://rt.com/news/russia-court-madonna-summons-625/
Order A League of Their Own on Blu-ray today!
Penny Marshall’s popular 1992 comedy sheds light on a little-known chapter of American sports history with its story of a struggling team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league was formed when the recruiting of soldiers during World War II resulted in a shortage of men’s baseball teams. The AAGPBL continued after the war (until 1954), and Marshall’s movie depicts the league in full swing, beginning when a savvy baseball scout (Jon Lovitz) finds a pair of promising new players in small-town Oregonian sisters (Geena Davis, Lori Petty). The sisters are signed to play for the Rockford Peaches near Chicago, whose new manager (Tom Hanks) is a former home-run king who wrecked his career with alcoholism. They’re all a bunch of underdogs, and Marshall (with a witty script by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel) does a fine job of establishing a colorful team of supporting players including Madonna and (in her movie debut) Rosie O’Donnell. It’s a conventional Hollywood sports story (Marshall’s never been one to take dramatic risks), but the stellar cast is delightful, and the movie’s filled with memorable moments, witty dialogue, and agreeable sentiment. And just remember: there’s no crying in baseball! –Jeff Shannon
Just when you think Madonna has done it all, she proves she has other fields to conquer. Right in time for the holiday season, Madge will be releasing a second fragrance line called Truth or Dare by Madonna Naked. The new fragrance, which will be released for women was developed by Stephen Nilsen who developed her debut perfume Truth or Dare.
The new fragrance by Madonna is described as “a provocative and sexy scent that reveals Madonna’s sensual inner qualities.Blending a sense of richness and flirty femininity, the fragrance is playful yet confident.” Sounds like a winner!
Truth or Dare Naked is said to have a woody floral; which include honeysuckle, peach blossom, neroli, vanilla orchid, cocoa flower, lily of the valley, cedar, benzoin, oud accord and sandalwood. Who knew Madonna was made up of all those scents?
Madonna’s new fragrance Truth or Dare by Madonna Naked are packaged in 50 and 75 mi Eau de Parfum.
When the singer isn’t earning headlines for her perfumes, she’s shocking audiences on her MDNA world tour, which has sparked controversy with the show’s themes such as violence, firearms, human rights, nudity, and of course the singer’s stance on politics. During one of her shows Madonna revealed a fake tattoo of Obama’s name across her lower back. In a later show in Washington, D.C. she announced to the crowd, “Y’all better vote for f**king Obama, OK? For better or for worse, all right? We have a black Muslim in the White House.”
Let’s hope this perfume goes over better than Madonna’s recent verbal blunders.
There is no denying that this is one of Madonna’s greatest ballads and probably one of the best songs she’s written. Even her detractors have to admit the brilliance and power of this song. I think this was when the naysayers beagn to take her a bit more seriously and saw that she truly had some depth and range to her work and that she would probably not be the flash-in-the-pan that they initially wished her to be. This song is so hauntingly beautiful and is sung masterfully so that is stays with you long after it is done. I love that this is a song that can be interpreted in so many ways and she has never truly explained what it means and therefore leaves the meaning up to what the listener takes away from it. I think she may have alluded to it being about her childhood and the difficulties she had after her Mom’s death, but whatever it is, I think it comes from a very personal place for her and has indicated that it is one of her favorite songs on a few occasions. My favorite part has to be the bridge which brings the song to an almost chilling and mysterious climax with the beautiful harmonies and background almost ghost-like vocals. I’ve loved every performance she’s ever done in her live shows from BA to the infamous Confessions performance. This is a song I will never tire of and I consider it one of her greatest accomplishments.
What do you think of this classic ballad?
Madonna’s producer has responded in court to allegations she illegally sampled a tune on her 1990 international hit, “Vogue.”
The original lawsuit was filed in July by VMG Salsoul, the copyright owner of a 1976 composition called “Love Break.”
Just like in a sampling lawsuit that was filed against the Beastie Boys the day before Adam Yauch died, the plaintiff in this case alleged that it was only through new technology that the “deliberately hidden” sampling had been detected.
New technology has the potential to make musicians pay for past sampling sins, but Robert “Shep” Pettibone, who worked on “Vogue” with Madonna and is a co-defendant, has an answer to why recording artists should escape any liability for copyright infringement.
In a motion to dismiss, Pettibone’s attorney argues, “VMG has conceded the alleged copying, if indeed it occurred (which Pettibone adamantly denies), was de minimis, as an ordinary observer cannot detect it, and therefore, is not substantial enought to sustain an action for cpyright infringement.”
The motion to dismiss continues, “As the alleged copying is undetectable to the ordinary observer, it is impossible the works are substantially similar.”
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
Love-her-or-hate-her singer and rapper Nicki Minaj said it best via video Saturday night of another polarizing figure in pop music: “There’s only one queen, and that’s Madonna. B*tch!”
Queen of Pop Madonna brought her 2012 MDNA Tour to MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night, the first of two sold-out shows (the second was tonight), and, from her setlist (religious, thematic and stunning), staging (gothic cathedrals, chanting monks turned Chippendales dancers), singing (a lot of backing tracks and music, but she definitely sang most of the evening) and choreography (at age 54, Madonna has never looked better and was still dancing two hours later), she proved two things: Madonna is queen, and her reign is far from over.
It’s been six years since I’ve seen Madonna in concert. I missed the Sticky & Sweet Tour in 2008. I had tickets to her Sept. 11, 2001, Drowned World Tour show at Staples Center in L.A.; she rescheduled that same week, and it became the last show of her tour. I waited more than two hours before she hit the stage, and there was no opening act.
In 2004, it was the Reinvention World Tour at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. And two years later, the Forum again for the Confessions Tour, where I reviewed her concert for the first time for work. I nearly knocked over Nicole Richie walking back to my seat, and I admitted to being a Madonnaholic.
It would be a mistake to ever miss her concert again.
Saturday night’s highlights (and there were many): not one but five choreographed contortionists during “Best Friend/Heartbeat,” and there were audible gasps of shock and amazement from the arena crowd; the choreography and drum major costumes for “Express Yourself” and “Give Me All Your Luvin’, ” with Madonna twirling a baton and drummers suspended high above the stage; and her “forgiveness” of a gay Republican fan at the foot of the stage (“I love everybody so much that I am going to forgive you!”).
Also: her messages of acceptance, being united as one and fighting discrimination without being preachy, long-winded or condescending; a very sexy, slowed-down, sultry, cabaret-style “Like a Virgin” with only accompaniment from a piano; and an uplifting and cathartic “Like a Prayer” with a full choir (I nearly cried).
Two negatives in a euphoric and nearly perfect five-hour night: The increasingly impatient crowd started booing at 10:25 p.m., about 40 minutes after the opening act had ended (see below). People: This is what Madonna does. Get over it. Secondly, I disliked “Gang Bang,” in which she repeatedly shoots and kills her male dancers, and there are depictions of blood and brains on the larger-than-life LED screens. Over the top, ahem, overkill, and counter to what Madonna is all about in her music and life.
Nonetheless, Madonna’s MDNA is uh-MAH-zing, an artist and performer who is still at the top of her game. Nick, a fan sitting in front of me from L.A., saw the show earlier in the week and said the MGM show blew the L.A. show out of the water. “It was amazing here. The crowd and Madonna were really into it. The energy was perfect.”
L-U-V, Madonna, Y-O-U, you wanna? The answer is yes. Always.
MADONNA’S SETLIST
“Girl Gone Wild,” “Revolver,” “Gang Bang,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Hung Up” (in which she impressively walks a tightrope), “I Don’t Give A (with Minaj), “Best Friend/Heartbeat” (interlude), “Express Yourself/Born This Way,” “Give Me All Your Luvin’, ” the audience sing-along “Turn Up the Radio,” “Open Your Heart,” “Masterpiece,” “Justify My Love” (interlude), “Vogue,” “Candy Shop,” “Erotica/Human Nature,” “Like a Virgin,” a striking video of mashed-up faces and images to “Nobody Knows Me” (interlude), “I’m Addicted,” “I’m a Sinner,” “Like a Prayer” and “Celebration.”
OPENING ACT MARTIN SOLVEIG
French electronic music DJ and producer Martin Solveig, in a black leather jacket and his signature headband, served as the opening act and spun and sang from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m., a surprisingly substantial kickoff set. He was fun, if a little pedestrian (I’ve had the fortune of seeing Swedish House Mafia — my favorites right now, Calvin Harris and Deadmau5 spin in the past month, and Solveig was tame in comparison).
His setlist included “Music,” “Ready 2 Go,” “Into the Groove,” “Titanium,” “Rolling in the Deep,” “Beautiful Killer,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Like I Love You,” “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Funky Town,” “Nigg*s in Paris,” “Feel So Close” after an audience chant of “L-U-V, Madonna, Y-O-U, you wanna?”; “Love Spent,” “In My Mind,” his new song “The Night Out,” “We Are Young” and his club anthem favorite “Hello.”
Thanks to Las Vegas Sun photographer Sam Morris and contributing photographers Tom Donoghue and Erik Kabik for their fabulous photo galleries.
Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and senior editor, arts and entertainment, of LasVegasSun.com.
Madonna renewed her campaign to release the imprisoned members of Russian punk group Pussy Riot during her show in Los Angeles just hours after one of the women walked free from prison on Wednesday.
Three members of the band were handed two-year prison sentences for staging a protest in a church in Moscow in February, prompting an outcry from stars including Paul McCartney and Madonna, who called the jail terms “harsh” and “inhumane”.
The women were back in court on Wednesday, and Yekaterina Samutsevich had sentence overturned after her lawyer argued the star had been restrained by police officers before the stunt and hadn’t taken part. Samutsevich walked free from court, but her bandmates – Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina – had their sentences upheld.
Lawyers representing Tolokonnikova and Alekhina have revealed they now hope to take the musicians’ case to the European Court of Human Rights, and Madonna addressed the issue again during her gig at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
She told the audience, “May I remind you that two members of Pussy Riot are still in jail.”
Samutsevich has also given her first interviews since being freed, revealing the three women did not have access to any outside information during their time behind bars and she had no idea they had received such stellar support.
She tells Sky News, “We did not have access to any video or any audio, we did not even see Madonna’s performances (when she danced with the band’s name scrawled on her back).”
In another interview, Samutsevich reveals she feels bad for walking free after six months in custody while her friends remain behind bars.
She tells CNN, “(I have) mixed feelings… Of course I am very happy to be out and to be free, but I’m very upset that Nadezhda and Maria are still incarcerated… (They are) very, very upset (about being separated from their children)… but they are holding up very well.”
Samutsevich also vowed the band will continue its political fight in the future, adding, “We are not finished, nor are we going to end our political protest… (But we will be) more cautious (in the future).”
Happy Sweet Sixteen Lourdes Leon!
Madonna’s daughter is blowing out 16 candles today and we can only imagine how she’s celebrating the coming-of-age birthday!
At 16, Lourdes has quite the resumé already.
The teen has not only recorded vocals on the hit track “I’m Addicted” from mother Madonna’s recent album MDNA. But she also has her own clothing line Material Girl and a beauty line as well.
So what’s in store for Lourdes, the 16-year-old?
Well, possibly a car. Or more likely a car company, since this is clearly a girl who thinks big.
